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GTF Supercar

I have been checking in fairly regularly to look for updates on the new supercar that has been brought up in this forum. I read Dave's article on the GTF supercar when he released it on Dec 31 and was blown away. I have finally gotten around to writing this now. I am surprised there isn't already a discussion on it! Factory Five Racing does some amazing work. This new shift in technology is going to be awesome for FFR. I love the car from the angles they showed. I was hoping for something aggressive and angular with unique feature. Kind of like a cross better the newest GT40 and the C7 Vette. I love the front quarters; they are like an semi-open wheel design. Dave said he doesn't like the current nose and some quarters. I hope the front quarters are not part of the "some" quarters. What are everyone else's thoughts?

I'm also very pleased that FFR is headed in this direction with a modern looking kit...in a market dominated by copies of other (old) cars. Before the GTM came out, I strongly considered building my whole business model on the idea of taking one of FFR's Roadster or Type 65 kits and fabricating and selling a modern body to fit their chassis. I'm surprised that it has taken FFR this long to do the same. Very encouraging to see them adopting this new tech to create the bodywork. Once they get this mastered......if I owned FFR I would probably work toward developing new body versions for everything they already build! Why not make 2 different bodies to fit the 818 chassis so customers have a choice?.....all of the mechanical stuff is already done, so the only new inventory they would have to deal with is just the stuff related to the body itself. Same with the rest of their line-up.

Getting back to the GTF specifically, I do like the look they are going after. As mentioned in the SEMA thread, the only beef I have with the design is the area behind the front wheels. While I don't mind the look of that so much, the reality is that all of the paint is going to get stripped off of that area within a few hundred miles of driving......and no one wants to spend tens of thousands of dollars building the car of their dreams only to be forced to drive it around with half the paint stripped off. If you're going to build the Ultimate Garage & Trailer Queen, it's a cool concept.......but in the everyday reality of actually being able to drive the car, I don't think that design is realistic. And again....as I mentioned in the SEMA thread, with the new technology they are using, I see no reason that FFR should limit themselves to "one or the other". You have the tools to offer 2 different "front fender" versions of the car for those who can't live without that open wheel look and for those who want to drive the car and keep the paint on the car.

As mentioned in the SEMA thread, the only beef I have with the design is the area behind the front wheels. While I don't mind the look of that so much, the reality is that all of the paint is going to get stripped off of that area within a few hundred miles of driving......

Shane, that is a good point I didn't consider. I liked the uniqueness. Uniqueness similar to the rear quarters of the GT40. I guess my take was if I am going to spent the time and money to build a supercar, I don't want it to just blend in.

EDIT: Based on your SEMA thread comment, I went looking for that and I guess I am late to the party!

Mods can delete this thread if wanted as it is redundant. I can re-post there is this is deleted.

I think the concept is on a good path. The first thing I thought of with the open front wheel wells was the loss of paint down the side. I agree with Kasmodean. I like the uniqueness. Maybe a black screen can be added to complete the curve of the wheel well - something unobtrusive but keeps the debris to a minimum. Maybe then some strategically placed clear bra pieces would take care of the rest. I'm guessing the rear wing would only be needed for racing. I always chuckle a little to myself when I see cars with great big aero on the street. Would the diffuser provide enough down force for street use, or would it be nice to add a little more lip to the back deck lid? With all the curves and and hard lines, a little more lip back there might look good too. They may not need to add any height to the back deck, maybe just give it a little more of a valley at the bottom of the glass to give more angle to the back edge. No expert here, just thinking out loud.

I wish they would release what the donor car will be. Yes, I know what it’s based on, but I don’t want to start collecting parts to find out later that something else (better) works.

This is the only car that “looks” right. GTM and 818 just look... like kit cars.

I feel you. I wanted a GTM at first but the look of the car had me going back and forth, then the 818 came out and I really liked the look of it but didn't want the power plant. I started leaning towards a gen 3 coupe but the wife hated the look of it which sucked since it had the power plant I wanted. This car looks like it can be a winner since I'm hoping it uses the same parts as the gen 3 coupe and the wife liked the teaser pics we have. So much so shes even willing to pitch in and help me start getting the parts! So i hope they release some more info soon while shes still in a good mood!

I have been checking the forum every day for updates on this project. I am a wee bit too excited. Really hoping the development process leads to a body that can be finished with less effort than the current cars. That would be icing on the cake.

I'm definitely excited about the direction the next super car is headed to me so far the car is very Ferrari 812 Superfast and F12 TDF and I have no problems with that. I hope they stick with the mustang drive train and price the car more in the range of the type 65 than the GTM. In regards to the open front fender I think that would be a great place for some type of vented carbon fiber panel.

My comment on this is there may still be an issue. I say that because something being "based" on the Daytona frame does not mean identical to the Daytona frame. For instance the Gen 2 Hot Rod is "based" off the Gen 1 frame but there have been some big changes to the frame. Until we know what changes might have been made to the frame we can't guarantee what will be required.

I don't have much to add beyond what has already been so eloquently said. I just want to add my support to the new Supercar. I will certainly be grilling the FFR team at the Barrett Jackson next week to find out anything more about their progress. About the only thing I didn't love about the car was the opening behind the front wheels. Just a personal taste thing I guess. It just didn't hit me. Shane's observation about the paint being destroyed in that area is spot on.

I’m following development of the GTF also. Been waiting to build my first FFR since, well....forever. Fell in love with them in the late 90’s seeing their ads in the back of magazines, and it’s been an obsession ever since.

It’s between the GTF and Type 65 for me. Conveniently, it looks like they will share a chassis. Powerplant was always going to be Coyote for the Type 65 anyway, so this is just opening up the prospect of a new body. As for the open fender behind front wheels, I think it’s bold sure, but also brilliant. There are a few Aston Martin and Ferrari designs using this aesthetic (also has a functional purpose in racing if aero here is designed properly), but the point is it’s different and exciting. It will draw attention and be a heck of a conversation starter. Rock chips can be ENTIRELY mitigated through a comprehensive clear wrap over the entire painted portion. There is some high tech film material available today that many supercar owners wrap their entire cars with, which makes rock chips a thing of the past. You can still wax it to boot!

Man... your story is IDENTICAL to mine, even the wife input and feedback.. we are GTF bros before the car is even released.. haha

I'm down to be GTF bros. Probably won't be a day 1 buyer but I am already putting money away and just waiting to get final confirmation that it will be using mustang running gear or not. I wonder if it will come as a complete like the coupe-r. Pretty much only reason I haven't went and bought a donor car yet.

I’m following development of the GTF also. Been waiting to build my first FFR since, well....forever. Fell in love with them in the late 90’s seeing their ads in the back of magazines, and it’s been an obsession ever since.

I am in the same boat. I have been watching Factory Five since college in the 2005 time frame. I liked the performance but wasn't so convinced about the styling of a cobra. Then the GTM came out and wow! I was still in college, but I loved it. But the mid engine transaxle seemed to be a pain in the butt. Then the 818. I really considered (and am still considering ) the 818. But it seems plain to me. I feel like I would end up doing a lot of body mods. Now this. V8 power without messing with a mid-engine transaxle and styling too. I can't wait for SEMA 19. It will give me some time to get my garage in order.

I am in the same boat. I have been watching Factory Five since college in the 2005 time frame. I liked the performance but wasn't so convinced about the styling of a cobra. Then the GTM came out and wow! I was still in college, but I loved it. But the mid engine transaxle seemed to be a pain in the butt. Then the 818. I really considered (and am still considering ) the 818. But it seems plain to me. I feel like I would end up doing a lot of body mods. Now this. V8 power without messing with a mid-engine transaxle and styling too. I can't wait for SEMA 19. It will give me some time to get my garage in order.

I share most of these thoughts with you. No offense to FFR, but I think they really missed the mark on the 818 as far as the styling goes. There's not much about the body that I like, but I think the concept they were after was good. Not to drag this thread off course, but for a mid-engine sports car (not supercar or muscle car), I still think they've missed a huge opportunity.....and that is to pick up where the K-1 Attack left off.....gorgeous, aggressive styling, relatively simple/basic design (nothing in the interior was even upholstered...just painted) and a transverse engine/transaxle lifted out of the front of a donor car and dropped into the rear of new chassis. I built one complete for $34k in grand total expenses.....and with some refinements to the kit, it could be done for much, much less than that. Light-weight, killer looks, simple design, CHEAP to build.

I'm also hoping this GTF ticks most of those boxes.....

My personal note to Dave Smith....in the glimpse of the very front of the GTF seen in the video in post #18 above.....You guys are definitely on the right track with that! Keep up the great work!

Can't say I am a fan of the front end to be honest, I don't think it fits with the rest of the car at all. It needs to be much sleeker/modern with the headlights and slightly less aggressive on the bumper but each to their own.

Can't say I am a fan of the front end to be honest, I don't think it fits with the rest of the car at all. It needs to be much sleeker/modern with the headlights and slightly less aggressive on the bumper but each to their own.

I can see where Dave Smith's issues are with the front. He's right to revise. I love the other four sides though. Just the front bumper needs a lot of work. As you say, it doesn't match the rest of the car. Maybe some Vulcan/Sagaris inspiration is in order.

I've wanted to build a FFR car for the longest time. I'm in a place now where I have the time and money to do so but all the other models have issues I just cannot get past. Usually along the lines of not being the best for 6'3".

Can't say I am a fan of the front end to be honest, I don't think it fits with the rest of the car at all. It needs to be much sleeker/modern with the headlights and slightly less aggressive on the bumper but each to their own.

In trying to get an aggressive look, I can't help but see a resemblance to a jack o lantern. I agree a more "sophisticated " look to the front bumper is needed.

When I saw the front end, I initially thought of the McLaren 720S. I'm glad they're spending more time on the design, it just needs to be a little more elegant, like the rear. The bottom of the front bumper kind of reminds me of an aftermarket body kit from fast and furious.gtf.jpgmclaren.jpg